Have you ever used chatGBT or AI to ask it questions about mental health or therapy?

What happens when technology tries to solve our mental health challenges? This week on Atypical Podcast, Amie and Jordan Varley get candid about the rise of AI in therapy. They discuss the good—like making support more accessible—and the not-so-good, including the dangers of replacing real human understanding with an algorithm. From tackling stigma to questioning whether a machine can ever truly empathize, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of mental health care.

If you or somebody you know needs help, please call 9-8-8 or 9-1-1.. Help is always available.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring AI in Mental Health

08:10 The Risks of AI Therapy

16:47 The Human Element in Therapy

24:58 The Future of Mental Health Support

Takeaways

AI is increasingly being used in mental health therapy, but it raises significant concerns. Accessibility and affordability are major barriers to traditional therapy. Stigma and shame can prevent individuals from seeking help, making AI an appealing option. AI lacks the ability to provide nuanced understanding and emotional support. There is a need for oversight and regulation of AI in mental health. Bias in AI can lead to stigmatizing responses for vulnerable populations. Human connection is irreplaceable in therapy and mental health support. AI should be used as a tool to augment human therapy, not replace it. Compassion and empathy are crucial in mental health care. Society must advocate for better mental health resources and support systems.

Links to Articles: https://mashable.com/article/chat-gpt-safeguards-suicide-crisis-line

https://hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care

https://technologymagazine.com/news/ai-chatbots-risk-mental-health-crisis-stanford-study-warns

https://988.ca

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/30/therapists-warn-ai-chatbots-mental-health-support

https://www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/fda-dhac-digital-health-ai-mental-health/

https://www.rand.org/news/press/2025/08/ai-chatbots-inconsistent-in-answering-questions-about.html

Keywords: AI, mental health, therapy, accessibility, affordability, stigma, oversight, bias, human connection, compassion

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Questions or Comments about our episode? Having a "dear abby" moment? Send us a live message on Speakpipe:

https://www.speakpipe.com/HostAmieandJordan